Guest Column: CPAC shows conservatives are still looking for a leader

By Dennis Lennox

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The yearly confab of rank-and-file conservatives that is the Conservative Political Action Conference came together late last week just outside Washington to hear from leaders, thinkers and like-minded politicians.

With this being the first major gathering since last year's re-election of President Barack Obama, the three-day conference included likely 2016 presidential prospects such as Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Rand Paul of Kentucky. Also seen was Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida, who is staking out his claim as leader of the pragmatic wing of the Republican Party.

The growing ideological differences in the movement were quite evident on Thursday, when first Rubio and then Paul addressed attendees during the opening session of CPAC.

While both senators can tout their fiscal conservative credentials -- an area where traditional conservatives and libertarians can find common agreement -- the differences between them on the great issues of the day -- foreign affairs, defense and natural security -- couldn't have been more clear.

Paul, who endeared himself to many in the center-right grassroots for his recent 13-hour filibuster on the floor of the Senate, advocated isolationist positions that many, in particular the neo-conservative wing of the GOP, argue weakens the country's position internationally.

Though not nearly as isolationist nor extreme as his father, Paul the Younger essentially advocates replacing one of the three legs on the stool of contemporary American conservatism for what libertarians would call a "non-interventionist" approach to all matters foreign and defense.

The yearly confab of rank-and-file conservatives that is the Conservative Political Action Conference came together late last week just outside Washington to hear from leaders, thinkers and like-minded politicians.

With this being the first major gathering since last year's re-election of President Barack Obama, the three-day conference included likely 2016 presidential prospects such as Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Rand Paul of Kentucky. Also seen was Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida, who is staking out his claim as leader of the pragmatic wing of the Republican Party.

The growing ideological differences in the movement were quite evident on Thursday, when first Rubio and then Paul addressed attendees during the opening session of CPAC.

While both senators can tout their fiscal conservative credentials -- an area where traditional conservatives and libertarians can find common agreement -- the differences between them on the great issues of the day -- foreign affairs, defense and natural security -- couldn't have been more clear.

Paul, who endeared himself to many in the center-right grassroots for his recent 13-hour filibuster on the floor of the Senate, advocated isolationist positions that many, in particular the neo-conservative wing of the GOP, argue weakens the country's position internationally.

Though not nearly as isolationist nor extreme as his father, Paul the Younger essentially advocates replacing one of the three legs on the stool of contemporary American conservatism for what libertarians would call a "non-interventionist" approach to all matters foreign and defense.